This lesson is designed to help students gain knowledge in graphing a microset of data, then using the graphs to investigate the relationship between volcanic activity and the presence of atmospheric aerosols. This lesson is from the MY NASA DATA...(View More) project, which has created microsets from large scientific data sets, and wrapped them with tools, lesson plans, and supporting documentation so that a teacher, or anyone in the interested public, can use authentic NASA Earth system science data.(View Less)

In this data analysis activity, students investigate the relationship between between surface temperature, tropospheric ozone, and air quality. Step-by-step instructions for use of the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS) guide students through...(View More) selecting a data set, importing the data into a spreadsheet, creating graphs, and analyzing data plots. The lesson provides detailed procedures, related links and sample graphs, follow-up questions, extensions, and teacher notes. Designed for student use, MY NASA DATA LAS samples micro datasets from large scientific data archives, and provides structured investigations engaging students in exploration of real data to answer real world questions.(View Less)

In this data exploration activity, students will access, download and graph authentic ozone data for four different locations on Earth. The ozone levels at the four sites are compared and analyzed, and students investigate the cause of changes in...(View More) ozone concentration over time. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, an online glossary and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics.(View Less)

In this lesson, students investigate the carbon monoxide level at a fixed latitude to determine if there is a relationship to population density. The lesson provides detailed procedures, related links and sample graphs, follow-up questions and...(View More) extensions, and teacher notes. This lesson is from the MY NASA DATA project, which has created microsets from large scientific data sets, and wrapped them with tools, lesson plans, and supporting documentation so that a teacher, or anyone in the interested public, can use authentic NASA Earth system science data.(View Less)

This lesson consists of three activities. Students will discover the effect of temperature and pressure on cloud formation, analyze weather balloon data, and interpret a graph created from the synthesis of data sets on temperature, relative humidity...(View More) and dew point. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It includes related links.(View Less)

The CERES (Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System) satellite instrument gathers data on Earth's surface coverage; this lesson provides an introduction to coverage types and percentages by using that data from two geographic areas: the equator and...(View More) 40°N. Students will use a world map to locate a series of points by latitude and longitude, determine if each point is covered by land or water, and then compare their findings to those from the CERES data. Accompanying questions prompt students to offer possible explanations for differences between their assessment of coverage type and the satellite data. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, and an online glossary.(View Less)

Through the use of satellite images taken during a winter storm over the Central United States in 2000, this lesson provides the opportunity to conduct a case study of cloud coverage. Students will use satellite images to not only estimate total...(View More) cloud cover, but also the cloud cover at four different altitude levels. They will then compare their estimates to the actual data from the CERES instrument. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, lesson extensions, an online glossary, and data analysis tools.(View Less)

Net Radiative Flux (NRF) is used to determine the flow of solar energy in and out of the Earth system. NRF is influenced by seasonal variations related to the tilt of the Earth's axis and degree of cloud cover as well as Earth’s surface features....(View More) Using measurements taken by the CERES instrument, students will observe and analyze NRF patterns. Analysis will focus on seasonal shifts and the impact of both surface features and clouds. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, an online glossary and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics.(View Less)

Satellite data on cloud cover is used in this investigation to show the relationship between clouds and solar declination. Students will download data on declination angles along with data on clouds and cloud cover for a one-year time period....(View More) Additional years will be added to the download in order to determine any seasonal patterns. Cloud cover near the equator is the focus of the analysis. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, and an online glossary.(View Less)